Tokyo's Oldest temple, Sensoji Temple

If you have a chance to travel in Tokyo, you must visit Sensoji Temple in old town Asakusa. This temple is the oldest in Tokyo and about 30 million people visit here every year.

Kaminari (thunder) -mon gate is the most famous symbol in Asakusa, a statue of thunder deity and wind deity are sit in the both sides of the gate. Even though the gate was burnt by fire before, the gate was reconstructed by Konosuke Matsushita in 1960, who is the founder of Panasonic. The gate is always full of people.

There are 2 gates in Sensoji Temple, and also 2 red lanterns. Please do not forget to check the back side of the lantern, you can see the beautiful sculpture.

Nakamisedori Shopping Street leads you to the temple.  The street is 250 meter long, and about 90 shops are on the both sides. You can buy various kinds of souvenirs such as Japanese fans and swards and Japanese fast foods.

The origin of this temple is that two brother fishermen found a a statue of Bodhisattva Kannon (Buddhist goddess of mercy) from Sumida river, which flows on the east side of the temple in the year 628. Since then, the statue has been worshiped and enshrined. Currently, the statue is hidden and public people cannot see it. 

Before you enter inside the temple, rinse your mouth and wash your hands with fresh water at the purification fountain. Then, go to the incense burner and put the smoke on the part which you want to cure of your body. Legend said it that the smoke can cure the bad part of your body.

The main hall is about 30 meter high. The golden decoration, and red and white architecture are awesome!

Inside of the main hall... you can see 3 characters in a frame, SEMUI - means which Bodhisattva Kannon (goddess of mercy) gives one a fearless mind and can relieve this world.  

Five-storied Pagoda is on the left side of the main hall. Relics of the Buddha (busshari) are kept on the top floor. Originally it was built in 942, but it was burnt by air raids during World War II and reconstructed in 1973.

  

There are various buildings in the back side of the temple precincts, and beautiful nature such as flowers, trees, rivers. The precincts also has Sensoji Shrine, so this site is syncretization of Shinto with Buddhism. Please feel Japanese old atmosphere and find your favorite spot. 

Sensoji Temple

Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Tato-ku Tokyo

TEL: 03-3842-0181

The halls are open from 6:30 am to 17:00 pm

Admission free

http://www.senso-ji.jp/about/index_e.html

Nakamise Shopping Street

http://asakusa-nakamise.jp/e-index.html

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The Deity of Money! - Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Jinja Shrine

"Zeni Arai" means Money Wash. In Shinto, we have various kinds of deities, about 8 million. If you would like to wish financial success or prosperous business, this shrine is the best match.

The shrine is located at the end of the cave, Ugafuku Jinja Shrine.

One day in the year 1185, Kamakura era's Shogun, Yoritomo Minamoto had a dream in which the deity Ugafukujin delivered a divine message. He was told, "there is a miraculous spring that gushes out of the rocks in a valley. Go there and worship the deities of Shinto, and peace will come to the people." Yoritomo went to the valley and found the spring, and established the shrine enshrined Ugafukujin deity.


Here is how to pray at this shrine. First, go to purification fountain and wash your hands and rinse your mouth. Then, stop by the reception desk and buy a candle and incense sticks for JPY100. Pick up a bamboo basket.

Put the fire on them and offer them to the main shrine and pray here. 




















Then go to the shrine in a rock cave. Pray here as well.

 

 

OK, now you are ready. Take some money out from your wallet and place in the basket. Put the spring water on them. You really do not have to wash the money, especially paper bills, just bathe on the edge of the bills. After, dry your money with a towel or handkerchief. 








It is believed that if you spend money that has been washed in this natural spring water, it will increase many times and come back to you. Keep the money and make good use of them. Make sure, you have to use them for the good and meaningful purpose!



Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Jinja Shrine
2-25-16 Sasuke, Kamakura, Kanagawa
TEL: 0467-25-1081
Open: 8:00 - 16:30, no holiday
Admission: Free
20 minutes' walk from Kamakura station









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Bamboo Temple - Hokokuji Temple in Kamakura

Hokokuji Temple is a temple of Zen Buddhism, and was established in 1334. The principal image is enshrined in the main hall. After you visit here, let's go to the back side of the temple.

 

 

 

The temple is also famous for its Moso Bamboo gardens, and is often called "The Bamboo Temple."  You can fully appreciate the beauty and the power of about 2,000 bamboo trees all year around. High-rising bamboos gives here sacred atmosphere.

 

The tea room, "Kyukoan" is at the end of the bamboo garden. You can have green tea viewing the garden, which brings you peace of mind. Take a deep breath, and have clean air.

 

 

Even though it is small, you can also appreciate a dry landscape garden at this temple.

Hokokuji Temple

2-7-4 Jomyoji, Kamakura, Kanagawa

TEL: 0467-22-0762

Open 9:00 - 16:00

Admission: JPY200, or JPY700 if you would like to have green tea.

About 30 minutes walk from Kamakura station, 7 minutes by taxi,

or get off at Jyomyoji bus stop and 3 minutes on foot (about 15 minutes in total)

 

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9 meter-high Kannon Statue, Hasedera Temple @ Kamakura

Hasedera Temple is one of the very famous temples in Kamakura area and known as the temple of 9 meter-high Kannon statue (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) and flower of hydrangea. It is said that the temple was originally constructed in 8th century.


Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway) is the best way to go to Hasedeta Temple. It is only 5 minutes' ride from Kamakura to Hase station.

 

Passing through the main gate and climbing up the stairs, more than 1,000 stone statues of guardian deities of children welcome you. The statues are here to comfort the souls of unborn children.

 

  

On the top of the temple site, there are Amida-do Hall, Kannon-do Hall, and Daikoku-do Hall from the right to left side.  In Kannon-do Hall, the magnificent statue of Hase Kannon is enshrined. Gold leaf is applied to the statue, and it has eleven heads in addition to its main one.  Photographing is not allowed in the halls, so please take a look at the web site later.

 

 

In the Daikoku-do Hall, Daikoku deity is housed. Daikoku deity is one of the seven Japanese deities of Fortune, and he is the deity of wealth, or of the household, particularly the kitchen. You can touch this statue, touch him and good luck will come to you!

 

 

 

 
Buddha's foot mark stone is in front of Daikoku-do Hall. The observation platform is more ahead of Daikoku-do Hall and you can overlook the ocean. You can also take a rest at the restaurant. At the back side of the halls, hydrangea blooms very beautiful in June even it is rainy season.

 

Let's go to the lower level and go inside of Benten-kutsu cave.

 

According to the legend, a famous priest, Kobo Daishi had Buddhism training in this cave.  Benzaiten (sea female deity of the seven Japanese deities of Fortune) and 16 children are chiseled out of the rock walls. Going more inside, many candles are offered to the deity in the solemn atmosphere.   

 

Hasedera Temple is the MUST in Kamakura area!

Hasedera Temple
3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa
TEL: 0467-22-6300
http://www.hasedera.jp/words/english/e1.html
Open:
Mar - Sep 8:00 to 17:00
Oct - Feb 8:00 to 16:30
Admission: JPY300
5 minutes' walk from Hase station

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Kaizoji Temple @ Kamakura

Kaizoji Temple is one of Zen Buddhism temple in Kamakura area, and famous as a temple of flower and water.  The temple was originally constructed in 12th century, however, it was reconstructed after it was destroyed by a big earthquake in 20th century. This temple is quiet compared to other popular temples and has solemn atmosphere

This is the main hall.

 

Thatched roof house is on the right side of the mail hall. This is used as the priest's living quarters and the temple's kitchen.

 

One of famous wells in Kamakura is in front of the temple entrance.

 

In the temple precinct, there is a rock cave and Uga deity is enshrined. Uga deity has a human face and a snake body.

Walking about 50 meter to the south from the main hall, "Sixteen Wells" are in a rock cave. It is said that Japanese great priest named Saint Kobo dug these wells, and the wells has been full of sacred water for 800 years. A Kannon Bodhisattva is enshrined at the center.

 

 

When we went to Kaizoji Temple on the last weekend of November, we could enjoy beautiful colored leaves. Flowers are blooming at this temple all year around. For example, daffodil and camellia in winter, cherry blossom and azalea in spring, hydrangea and lotus in summer, and autumn bell flower and colored leaves in autumn.

Kaizoji Temple
4-18-8, Ogigayatsu, Kamakura, Kanagawa
TEL: 0467-22-3175
Open: 9:30 - 16:00 No Holiday
Admission: JPY100

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Zen Temple, Engakuji Temple @ Kamakura

Engakuji Temple was founded in 1282 to console the spirits the war-dead in the battles against Mongolia when Tokimune Hojo had ruled the country as Kamakura Shogun. The founder of the temple is a famous Zen Master, Mugaku Sogen. Shariden and the grand temple bell are both designated as national treasure.

 

The Temple site is very big and many places to see around. At least 1 hour is needed for sightseeing. We visited there in the late November and the colored leaves were very beautiful and it was full of tourists. The temple is located in front of Kitakamakura station.

 

 

 

 

Going up the stairs, you will see the Main Gate which was huge and magnificent. Some of the great names in literature wrote about this gate.

The Main Hall is new because it was reconstructed in 1964. You can see the statue of Buddha and white dragon drawn on the ceiling at the same time.

Kojirin is on the west side of the Main Hall. Zen meditation sessions are held for the general public. The sessions are held on every Saturday afternoon and the beginners also can attend them. (But no English sessions) If you are interested, check with the temple!

 

Hojo was originally the quarters for the abbot but is now used for various functions such as Buddhist memorial services, Sunday Sermon Meetings, Zen Meetings, various workshops and even charity concerts of Engakuji Temple. There are about 100 statues of Goddess of Mercy in the courtyard.  

 

 

 

 

 

Walking more inside of the precinct, there is Shariden. The Shariden is a sacred hall that holds a tooth of the Buddha. The beauty of this building's architecture has led it to be designated as a National Treasure. Since it is not open to the public due to Buddhism training, you only can see from the gate.

Engakuji Temple

409 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa (In front of Kamakura station)

TEL: 0467-22-0478

http://www.engakuji.or.jp/

Open:  
Mar - Nov 8:00 ~ 16:30

Dec - Feb 8:00 ~ 16:00

Admission: JPY300 

 

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The Symbol of Kamakura for 800 years - Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan. About 2.5 million people visit here only for 3 days in the New Year. It is easy access from Kamakura station, and there are many shopping places and cafes between the shrine and the station, please stop by there if you have a chance.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was moved and reconstructed by the Shogun, Yoritomo Minamoto, in 12th century. You can enjoy seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms and colored leaves at the precincts through the year.

Wakamiyaoji Street stretches from the shrine to Kamakura station, and leads to the beach of Kamakura city. The width of the road of the Shinto shrine gate near Kamakura station is about 5 meters, however, the width at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu entrance is about 3 meters. This is to show the street longer, using perspective method.

Going under the big shrine gate and passing the bridge, you can see Maiden (Dancing hall). It is said that the lover Shizuka who had tragic love with Yoshitsune Minamoto (Yoritomo's brother) danced for him. If you are lucky, you might be able to see Japanese classical wedding.

 

The main hall is at the top of big stairs. Throw coins to the offertory box and make a wish.

 

 

Please look up the mail hall and you will find the character, Hachimangu. The word Hachi is drawn by pigeons because pigeons are the messengers of the deity at this shrine. The sculptures at the main hall is very beautiful.

Shirahata Shrine is on the right side of the same precinct. This shrine is for victory and business success, let's visit here.

  

At the back side of Hataagebenzaitensha of Genji-pond, there is a Masako stone, which is said that Shogun Yoritomo prayed for her easy delivery of their baby. So praying here is said to bring good love and baby.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
http://www.tsurugaoka-hachimangu.jp/

2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura, Kanagawa

TEL: 0467-22-0315

Open: 6:00 - 20:30 No holiday

Admission Free

10 minutes' walk from Kamakura station
 

View Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in a larger map

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Kamakura Great Buddha @ Kotokuin Temple

The most popular spot you should visit in Kamakura city should be the second largest image of Buddha in Japan.  11 meter high and 121 ton statue is worth visiting.  Even though the statue maker is still unknown, it is national treasure and constructed in 13th century. Originally it was covered by golden foil and placed in the Buddha hall, however, the hall was swept away by Tsunami in 15th century.

Look, his handsome face!  He attained spiritual enlightenment and has no anger, greed, and grumbles. Take photos with clear blue sky.

 

 

The Great Buddha is in Kotokuin Temple.

 

You can enter inside of the Great Buddha by paying JPY 20.  Bronze casting is still remained. 

 

 

 

Straw sandals dedicated for the Buddha so that he can walk around in Japan and save people.

 

 

 

Back side of the statue.

Kotokuin Temlple
4-2-28, Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa
7 minute's walk from Hase station of Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden)
Open 365 days, from 8:00 - 17:00
Admission fee: JPY200 for adult (JPY20 to enter inside of the Buddha statue)












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